"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

What would you do? Show and Tail Day




Thanks Crystal Mary and Sharon...

Meet Molly
She's a grey speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Hurricane Katrina hit southern Louisiana. She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken
to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled.
While there, she was attacked by a dog and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected, and her vet went to LSU for help, but LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare
Case. You know how that goes. But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn't seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her.
She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight
And didn't overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee, and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there.

'This was the right horse and the right owner,' Moore insists.
Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. She's tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood that she was in trouble. The other important factor, according to Moore , is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse.

Molly's story turns into a parable for life in Post-Katrina Louisiana ...... The little pony gained weight, and her mane finally felt a comb. A human prosthesis designer built her a leg.

The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life, Allison Barca DVM, Molly's regular vet, reports.

And she asks for it. She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too. And sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca.

'It can be pretty bad when you can't catch a three-legged horse,' she laughs.

Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. Wherever Molly went, she showed people
her pluck. She inspired people, and she had a good time doing it.

'It's obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life, Moore said. She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others.' Barca concluded, 'She's not back to normal, but she's going to be better. To me, she could be a symbol for New Orleans itself.'

This is Molly's most recent prosthesis. The bottom photo shows the ground surface that she stands on, which has a smiley face embossed in it. Wherever Molly goes, she leaves a smiley hoof print behind.

Thought for the day:
God's creatures often reflect the character we aspire to.

And we are one of them.

Now the following if so funny - you'll love it.



x_c6a0401

35 comments:

MadSnapper said...

a truly inspiring story, she is beautiful and a blessing to others now.

Rebecca Nelson said...

Wowzers....just the loveliest story ever! Beautiful!

xoRebecca

Changes in the wind said...

At first I was taken back and then drawn in...great story.

Catherine said...

Hello I just discovered your blog and enjoyed reading through it. I am following and looking forward to becoming blog friends. I hope you will give my blog a visit and follow too if you like it. Blessings, Catherine

Knitty said...

I rushed to share this before even commenting here. What a mood lifter! Thanks!

Jill said...

I just love Molly's story. *HUGS*

GrammyK said...

Very inspiring!! I wonder why some animials seem so less intelligent than others and some seem more so than they should be?

Praying blessings on your day today!! <3

Lois Christensen said...

That's an amazing story about the horse! And the video is just priceless! If only that man knew what getting a cat would do the dog!!! Thanks for your comment on my blog this morning. I hope I didn't offend anyone! I truly understand when people are too busy to respond to someone leaving a comment on their blog. I just have been experiencing quite a few different people never even popping over to say hi to me and was wondering how other bloggers handle comments. Enjoy your day!

Raindrops and Daisies said...

What a lovely story Sandie.

Thanks for sharing.


x Fiona

Bev said...

Great Story....

Love the video:)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Sandie, that is one amazing horse and a heartwarming story! I hope she continues to do well with her artificial limb. The video of the dog was cute, but gosh I wish he would have scratched on the door and sent the cat running! Ha ha! And I love cats! Have a great day.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Molly is an inspiration! Great story

Susan said...

Hi Sandie...Loved the story and the video of the lotto. Nice post. Susan

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

Molly is a treasure for sure. That is a horse with heart.

Terra said...

What a heroic pony Molly is, and she met all the right people. To think she visits folks who need a smile or encouragement is so touching, and I shed a few tears reading this. I cry from joy sometimes :)

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow, Phil and I have really enjoyed seeing and reading about Molly! We never heard the like. Ahe must be SO sweet!! The dog lotto story was sad more than funny, but I sure didn't expect that ending!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I've seen Molly's story before - she's an awesome little horse!

Kim said...

That is truly amazing. Molly is an inspiration to all creatures - 4 legs, 3 legs or two.

Marie said...

Truly a beautiful story...tears of joy! Adorable doggy in the video, but he should have barked down the front door!

Catherine said...

That sweet horse is just so wonderful. I am so glad the right person found her and realized her potential. It's a beautiful thing.

The video is cute!

xo Catherine

Journeyin' Lady... said...

Just makes me feel happy that Molly has a new purpose in her life.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful story, I'm happy that Molly is doing well.
Good video! Hope you've had a nice day. It's almost over here, it has gotten so cold over here. Wishing you a lovely evening my friend. Hugs x

Belle said...

Thank you for this beautiful story of courage and kindness!

Unknown said...

go molly! i love that story. and the video, too cute. have a great week!

Ann said...

a very inspiring story. I like the part about her leaving smiles wherever she goes.

Nancy said...

Loving horses the way I do, I love this story....They are amazing animals and are often shortchanged.....

Thanks for sharing...made my day.....

Karen Lange said...

Wow, what a story. Thanks, Sandie, for sharing this. :)

Buttercup said...

An amazing and beautiful story. Thanks for posting this and thank you and Molly and the wonderful people who are her friends.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing story of God's beautiful Creation, Molly ...my heart was touched deeply by her depth of understanding and power to live....all given to her by her creator....God is so amazing....and full of love for all of his creation...how he uses this beautiful Molly to touch the heart of his most needy creation ... mankind! Thanks chatty

Lisa said...

What an absolutely beautiful story...it brought tears to my eyes. Molly is awesome!

sandy said...

Loved the story and how sweet she looks.

and also that video -cool! I may have to post it too.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

That story made my heart smile. Someone sent it to me, and I just loved it and loved reading it again. I will check the dog out later. I'm on one of the stick things on my computer, and I can't play videos because they eat up too much whatever it's called. LOL!

XO,

Sheila

The Brown Recluse (TBR) said...

Awwww and awwwww! I just love this story!

Debbie said...

I had never heard this story before. It is absolutely amazing. I really do stand in awe not just of the Mollys but of the intellect that could actually conceive a equine prosthesis. We've got a great big wonderful God to create that kind of brain power and imagination.

Wow.

Sharon said...

Molly made me cry. What a precious sweet thing she is. And she is a great testament to the tenacity of an unconquerable spirit.

We could learn much from her...